Good information. Also, it is possible to find SRRV eligibility information online. You can also apply online but beware, once you submit an online application, you are no longer allowed to use the the services of a free PRA SRRV consultant such as Maria. PRA has two application paths, one through them directly and one through a PRA consultant. The reason for this policy is that the consultants are independent contractors paid by PRA for the applicants they bring in; it is worthwhile for them to do this due to the money received in the application and the benefit to the economy from the required bank deposits. However, if you apply yourself, they apparently believe you can and will do the application yourself and need not pay the independent consultant for their referral. In my opinion, I would use the consultant because their advice is very valuable, they guide you through the system, meet with you at the various agencies and medical center, the bank and provide other services. They earn their commission by the hard work they perform for you. However, some people have said the self-application process (online) is pretty straightforward while others have said it is frustrating. We used a consultant in Manila and stayed 4 days where the consultant guided us every step of the way, every day. It was not a wasted trip. The PRA in Manila is friendly but without a consultant, and if you don’t ask the right questions, you may find yourself going back to the PRA time after time where they give you the tasks one step at a time. In that case, it may take much longer. Consultants also help you get through the lines at the agencies more quickly and give advice as to what you need to get from your country’s Embassy in Manila, fir example, where they know the working hours, best times to apply etc.. Other agencies include the DFA (and which DFA Office to go to for red-ribboning foreign documents like police reports and marriage licenses), NBI, which clearances BI requires (don’t worry, you do not visit BI, PRA does that for you), how to handle it if BI sees a speeding or other minor violation on your police report (BI clerks are not allowed to decide for themselves which crimes are “moral turpitude” so a speeding ticket delays everything unless you give an attorney/notarized affidavit as your consultant will explain) etc.. The consultant will set you up edit a fast physical at an approved medical center. Consultant services are 100% free but I suggest giving them a tip at the end. They will also help you schedule your agency visits using “grab” taxi in a reasonable way taking Manila traffic into account, ie, no more than 3 agency visits per day, where agency = bank, Embassy, pra at Citibank building, NBI, DFA etc.. In the evenings you and significant other can take grab and explore the restaurants, casinos, shopping centers and make a mini vacation out of it. I have no information or suggestions for doing this using the Cebu PRA. Perhaps somebody has insight on that. Hope this helps.


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Agree absolutely!!!

I have stated this previously but three and a half years ago when going through my SRRV process everything went well till the final hiccup. The legislation states that the deposit funds must be received from overseas. To send my $US here I used a remittance company who I have used extensively over the years. So I settled with them from my home country and they remitted the moneys here and into my term deposit with BDO for the purpose of satisfying requirements. Because that company I used are a major player here, they hold funds locally - both peso and $US. So they simply transferred $US from their account here to my BDO term account meaning that the funds came from here not overseas. My agent (who was a contractor to Maria Rose Baranda) was able, through some extra documentation and relationship with the officials at the PRA, to smooth the water and other than a short fright on my behalf, was able to get my visa quickly and efficiently.

Through my working life I completed forms, and read legislation daily and got pretty good at it - but because that aspect was out of my control, it could have derailed the whole process. I will forever be grateful to having the assistance and direction of the agent and recommend anyone considering this visa to get that form of assistance. They are not "fixers" as we know them here, they are knowledgable people who will guide you through everything as the above post describes and it costs nothing except some kindness and gratitude. Mine would not accept a tip - as I have said previously she allowed me to buy her a cup of coffee.

 

Disclaimer - I have not yet applied for Courtesy SRRV because I ultimately delayed my decision to start social security until later this year, which is my only "pension" that, with US military service, makes me eligible.
But a few years ago I corresponded with Ms Baranda via email, and she always answered my questions quickly. So I can recommend her on that limited basis
One other note, I believe that reference to the "Red Ribbon" process may now be out of date. Last year the Philippines became a signatory to the "Apostille Convention", so I believe that once foreign documents are now "apostilled" (authenticated) by foreign governments who are also signatories, they are good for use in the Philippines, no more "Red Ribbon".

 

The red ribbon issue for me was not a problem with the Philippines accepting US documents; it was the US Embassy refusal to authenticate our US documents. The US Embassy simply explained that they had no way to prove that our US marriage license and police report were valid. That was not within their scope and really, it is not. They did give us the wording of a handwritten statement that we wrote down at the clerk’s window where we made the claim that the documents were valid and the US Embassy notarized that. The Philippines then accepted the affidavit notarized by the US Embassy and gave it the red ribbon. Other foreign embassies may handle this in a way better for their applicants. In any case, it sounds like you are right and if so, that is one less line to stand in, at the DFA. Our application was done in 2016 and the only thing consistent about these things is change. Now, if you are applying from the USA, the documents get “approved” or whatever from your local Philippine Embassy or consulate. I forgot to mention that 1) It may well be much easier (not sure) to do most if the legwork from within your home country, I don’t know. We came in on a BB privilege and wanted to stay here for 6 months to confirm we wanted permanent residence and 2) the Philippine Embassy in the US always accepted locally US notarized documents for their own “approval”, ie the term red-ribbon was not in the vocabulary. Red-ribbon was simply a Dept Foreign affairs confirmation that your foreign documents were up to standard, not a separate authorization. Hope you are right for the people applying from with the Phils..Good info.


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If you are a US or military vetran from certain other countries, you should be able to apply for the Courtesy SRRV for an application fee of around $1500 plus a bank deposit of $1500.

No pension should required for a “courtesy” SRRV if any type. That applies to other SRRV categories. I believe.

Suggest you make sure Maria is fully aware of this situation; you are a veteran with appropriate good discharge (not dishonorable). you may find it to be very good news and it may change your plans! But of course you need to confirm. Our “extended courtesy SRRV” applies to an ex-Philippine citizen where the holder adds the spouse (me). Here we paid the applications and the $1500 deposit (to BDO in Makati). No proof of pension needed! In your case, you don’t even need to have a spouse sponsor you. If married, you could sponsor her if she needed it, ex. if she us a US citizen and not dual. Single vets are eligible.



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Their website indicates that the military "expanded" courtesy falls under a different category than the SRRV for former Filipinos. But you are right that it doesn't hurt to check!
At this point it's moot because I start my SS soon. I've been getting a Balikbayan stamp up 'til now.
https://pra.gov.ph/srrv/

 

"Now, if you are applying from the USA, the documents get “approved” or whatever from your local Philippine Embassy or consulate."
That is the part that has changed. They no longer do that for documents issued by foreign governmental agencies if the originating country participates in the Apostille Convention. It can still apply to personally-executed documents like Power of Attorney, etc. that need to be executed abroad but sent to the Philippines.

Here is a blurb from the Philippines Consulate in NY:
"BEGINNING 14 MAY 2019, PCGNY WILL NO LONGER BE AUTHENTICATING DOCUMENTS"
"How is the Apostille Convention relevant to Overseas Filipinos or those located here in the United States of America who wish to execute documents to be used in the Philippines? How will this be beneficial?
After the document has been “Apostilled,” by the competent authority of the United States of America, there is no need for the document to be authenticated by the Philippine Consulate General in New York. The said document could already be sent to and used directly in the Philippines."
Note that in some cases (birth certificate, marriage contract), that "authority" may be on the state level in the US.

http://newyorkpcg.org/the-consulate...authentication-of-documents&catid=51:services

 

I am working with a guy in Cebu. I feel sure he is a good marketer and will get me thru it with less hassle than I had planned for by doing myself..He plans to open an office in the same alley as BI in Dumaguete. PM me if you want his contact info.

 

Thanks for the reference and I have to make a correction:

Courtesy SRRV: For former Filipinos and souse etc. $1500 deposit

Expanded courtesy SRRV: For military vets and spouse etc. $1500 deposit PLUS proof of $1000 month pension like SS etc..


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